College Counseling Corner
Vol. 1 Issue 1 ~ August 2025
Fall Events!
"The beginning is the most important part of the work". ~ Plato
Dr. Mary Poche
Provides leadership and oversight over our College and Career Counseling program ensuring students are well prepared for their post secondary paths whether it is college, CTE, Military. She will support students and families with college applications including Early Decision, FAFSA, Summer fly-in programs, community service, decision one-on-one meetings, among others. She also oversees building and maintain relationships with college admissions officers and other stakeholders.
mpoche@kippnc.org
252-538-2832
Senior College & Career Counselor
Mrs. Denise Cherry is our Senior Counselor.
She leads your senior seminar classes and projects, supports with Smart Wish List, College Applications, FAFSA, Scholarships, letters of recommendation, personal statements and one on one meetings with students and families.
Ms. Cherry is also our coordinator for the dual enrollment program with Halifax Community College(HCC).
(252-578-3004)
Junior Counselor
Mrs. Shanta Garner is our Junior Counselor.
She will lead your junior seminar lessons and projects, and support you completing YouScience to identify career interests, exploring pathways, creating a college wish list, preparing a personal statement, summer programs and fly-in programs, scholarship applications and ACT prep.
Ms. Garner is also responsible for organizing all our exposure events including College Tours and visitors.
(252-676-1857)
The Gates Scholarship
The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. The scholarship is no open and will close September 15, 2025. The link to apply can be found below:
FAFSA NIGHT: Parent Meeting
Pride of 2026
Senior Parent Night: September 24, 5:30 - 6:30pm
Is your personal statement ready?
Attention: Pride of 2026
Personal statements are due:
Please spend some time revising your personal statement. Do not hesitate to ask a family member for feedback.
Summer programs & Community Service.
Attention: Prides 2026 and 2027
The community service hours you earn take you one step closer to meeting the requirements for graduation. Seniors will need to complete 40 hours to graduate. Juniors should aim to have a total of 40 hours by the end of the senior year.
Summer Programs are also a great way to build skills and knowledge in areas outside the traditional academic focus, get a taste of college life, meet other students with similar interests
Taking part in a summer program is a plus on college applications; it shows colleges that you are committed to learning.
Use the link below to research options in North Carolina or reach our to Ms. Garner on sgarner@kippnc.org
NC CONNECT
Attention: Pride of 2026
Seniors, here is an exciting opportunity provided by NC Connect that can help you save time and money as you prepare for college.
If you have a GPA of 2.8+,you may qualify for guaranteed admission to several NC colleges and universities .
Be on the look our for a letter of admission to the NC Connect Program in August 2025.
For further details, please see your counselor! If you want to know who has been assigned to your as your counselor, please check Overgrad.
2025-2026 FAFSA opens October 1, 2025
Free College Application Week October 20-26, 2025
